Life in the underground Soviet music scene Part 1 (198)

Joanna Stingray was only 23 years old when she first set foot in the USSR and started meeting now-legendary musicians and artists of the Soviet underground. By 1985, she was writing and recording with them, and smuggling their music to the West in order to produce the groundbreaking album Red Wave: 4 Underground Bands from the USSR. This is her testimony of youthful fortitude and rebellion, her love story, and proof of the power of music and youth culture over stagnancy and oppression. Details of the book giveaway are here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode198/ Part 2 is here and part 3 here Joanna’s book, Red Wave written with her singer/songwriter daughter, Madison, includes Stingray’s extensive collection of photographs, artworks, and interviews with the musicians. Buy the book and support the podcast here UK listeners https://amzn.to/3rwItSz US listeners https://amzn.to/3zyvbHX If you are enjoying the podcasts I’m asking for donations to support my work and enable me to continue producing the podcast. If you become a monthly supporter via Patreon, you will get the sought after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show. I am delighted to welcome Joanna Stingray to our Cold War conversation… If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Thank you very much for listening. It is really appreciated – goodbye. Help Support the podcast by shopping at Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/12447630031/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_books&tag=cwcp-21 Help support the podcast with a CWC mug or maybe a t-shirt? https://www.redbubble.com/people/Coldwarpod/shop?asc=u Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations 0:00 Introduction and Joanna Stingray's journey into the Soviet Underground 1:23 Sponsor: Patreon introduction and shoutout 2:46 Joanna's initial career plans and first visit to Russia 6:14 Joanna's struggle with communication and parental concerns 11:38 Joanna's first meeting with Boris Grebenschikov 14:17 Joanna's first visit to a Soviet apartment 18:27 Joanna's realization about her own music and the language of music 23:04 Joanna's experience at an underground concert and promise to return to Russia 29:49 Joanna's offer to help the Russian music scene 36:38 Joanna's first experience at a Russian rock concert and impressions of Soviet bands 44:00 Joanna's backstage experiences and encounter with the KGB 46:40 Ian's closing remarks and Sponsor: Patreon acknowledgement 48:21 Cold War Conversations online store promotion Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices